New Windows Phone 8 ad campaign set to air tonight on TV

The other day we mentioned how the Windows Phone team was preparing the first wave of an ad campaign, with the slogan of Windows Phone being "reinvented around you". To jog your memory, the two videos we've seen so far feature Gwen Stefani and Jessica Alba. We've just received word that those videos will begin airing tonight in the U.S. with new ones featuring Andy Samberg and Cam Newton coming in later weeks.

You can also look for additional ads to start appearing in the UK, France and Germany. What's interesting, is that Microsoft will take a local approach to those markets and use relevant celebrities and apps to highlight the platform.

In addition to television spots, the company is planning a myriad of marketing options:

"There are digital components spanning integration with top sites and social media, custom TV spots, out of home and print featuring some more ordinary and extraordinary personalities. In partnership with carriers and OEMs, we are training all of their RSPs and providing in store challenges that will put Windows Phone head to head with the competition while shining a brighter light on the OS than we have in the past."

Maybe we'll see a return of something like the guerilla marketing of "Smoked by Windows Phone", which to me was a great way of getting actual handsets into consumers hands while highlighting the strengths of the platform.

So far this seems like a good start to marketing Windows Phone, we'll be able to see by January how effective it is. Oh yeah, we've also heard to look out for a Jay-Z television spot as well, maybe with the phrase "I got 99 problems but a static tile ain't one".

Hi Sam! Nice write up, and like you, I'm excited to see the ads!
I know people are seeing and recognizing Surface, because when I show mine off, they're like "oh yeah! does it really snap?" I just smile and say, "YEP!" as I re-click the keyboard.
Windows Phone needs this same attention-grabbing promo.

I'm just glad we'll be getting the same marketing campaign in the US as Europe. For some reason, we always get the stupidest of ads. Nokia Europe commercials were good. Nokia US commercials and the "smartphone beta test" was terrible.

Never saw any of the 'smoked by windows phone' bits on tv. A wasted opportunity by MSFT right there.
Also, in my personal opinion, I have yet to see a commercial that really made an effective impact for me. I would love to see commercials - with or without celebs - that focus on the People Hub and how it ties into the Me Tile for social network updating.
Then another for the Photo hub with highlights on sharing photos to various networks. Possibly one centered around the Skydrive integration.
And how about some ads with people who switched from IOS and Android to WP.

I completely agree on the people hub. For me it is a killer feature. No other platforms integrates email, phone, texts, and social networking in one spot like windows phone does. I think people using their phones for work don't care as much about apps as getting all their communications needs accomplished and efficiently as possible. I've used iphones and android devices. They can't do what the people hub does.

Agree completely. Isn't it funny how a lt f people were looking for the 'new' feature in WP8 to get people away from apple and google. Features are already there in WP7 people! Maybe they should just be highlighted more.

I'm so happy they are starting a big ad campaign tonight. I wonder how many people who see an ad and want to buy a windows phone will actually walk out of a store with one or order one and have it shipped the same day?
Ugh, I know they don't want to underestimate demand and have phones lying around, but this is ridiculous.